Transcript
1986 FLORIDA SEAFOOD FESTIVAL
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1
Apalachicola, Florida
FOR INFORMATION: Write or Telephone
FLORIDA SEAFOOD FESTIVAL
45 MARKET STREET
APALACHICOLA, FL 32320
(904) 653-8051
Welcome to the Florida Seafood Festival! The Florida Seafood Festival is held each year over the first weekend in November, in the fishing village of Apalachicola on Florida's Gulf Coast, at the junction of the Apalachicola River and Apalachicola Bay.
The Festival is the state's oldest and largest marine event, attracting some 25,000 visitors, and it celebrates the thriving seafood industry on Apalachicola Bay. From these waters are harvested 90% of the oysters and 52% of the entire shellfish output in Florida.
But the Florida Seafood Festival is more than just a marine event, and more than just a tribute to our seafood industry. It is our acknowledgement of a way of life that exists only on the Coast. The people who live by the sea and because of the sea are proud to bring you this Festival. We hope you will enjoy our seafood, hospitality, and activities on Friday, October 31 and Saturday, November 1, 1986. And if you take home an appreciation for the sea and our way of life, then the Florida Seafood Festival has achieved its purpose.
Where is Apalachicola?
Apalachicola is located in Florida's panhandle on the Gulf of Mexico, 75 miles southwest of Tallahassee, and 60 miles southeast of Panama City. Scenic coastal highway U.S. 98 runs right into Apalachicola from both east and west. Both Panama City and Tallahassee are served by daily commercial airline flights.
What Activities Does the Festival Offer?
Every member of the family will find activities to enjoy at the Florida Seafood Festival. Virtually all the events are held outdoors and near the marina in Apalachicola's Battery Park, so you'll be able to enjoy the beautiful Florida weather and see the fishing and leisure boats in action.
The Festival officially begins at noon on Friday, October 31st, with the opening of the arts and crafts booths, the food concessions, and the Festival auction. At 6 P.M., on Friday, the legendary King Retsyo and his court, arrive at the Battery Park Marina.
Saturday morning the Red Fish Run foot race begins at 9 A.M. (you can pre-register or sign up that morning), followed by the Festival parade downtown at 10 A.M. The main Festival grounds in Battery Park will open at 11 A.M. For a $1 donation (kids under 12 are free), you can enjoy all the Festival events in the Park all day long. You can browse through more than 90 booths exhibiting and selling arts, crafts, and novelties of all kinds. There will be continuous live music and entertainment in the Park. You can take a guided tour through the historic waterfront and Apalachicola. You'll see the traditional Blessing of the Fleet and the oyster shucking contest, and have a chance to participate in the Blue Crab Race and the oyster eating contest. And all day long, you can partake of the pride of the Bay - seafood specialties prepared according to local recipes, and other homemade goodies.
On Saturday night the First Baptist Church will present a Gospel Sing, free, at 7 P.M., at the Apalachicola High School cafetorium. Later, you can dance the night away at the King Retsyo Dance, 8 P.M. at the Armory. Tickets will be available at the door.
The Events
*Festival Auction - Join us on Friday, October 31st, in Battery Park. Many antiques and one of a kind collectibles will go on the auction block at the main entertainment stage at 2 P.M.
*King Retsyo's Arrival - Help us welcome back the exiled king of river deltas and nursery areas of oysters, shrimp, fish, and crabs. King Retsyo (oyster spelled backwards is a traditional figure of mystery and fantasy, and will preside over many of the festival events.
*King Retsyo's Dance - The Saturday night gala dance will be held at the Ft. Coombs Armory (one block from Park) from 8 P.M. til! Live Band. BYOB; set up and snacks will be available.
*Red Fish Run - This 5,000 meter (3.1 miles) running event is open to runners of all ages and abilities, and starts and finished at The Gibson Inn on Saturday morning. All registered runners received a commemorative T-shirt and the top finishers in 12 age groups receive awards. you can pre-register or sign up on race morning. For more info, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the Festival Office.
*Festival Parade - King Retsyo leads the procession, with marching bands, beauty queens, drill teams and floats. The route begins in downtown Apalachicola and ends at Chapman Elementary School on 12th St. Parade entries are welcome; contact the Festival Office. Entrants will gather downtown to line up Saturday morning.
*Blessing of the Fleet - This solemn and colorful ceremony originated in the Old World. Local priests and ministers preform the blessing at the waterfront to protect the ships from dangers of the sea.
*Gospel sing - The First Baptist Church of Apalachicola will present the traditional Gospel Sing on Saturday at 7 P.M. in the High School cafetorium. Come enjoy the beautiful hymns, gospel songs and spiritual music. There is no charge.
*Entertainment - A variety of entertainers will be performing in the Park on Saturday. You'll see and hear live music (including country & western and rock groups, and enjoy some colorful dancing.
*Arts and Crafts Booths - Local and regional artists and crafts people will display and sell their wares Friday afternoon and all day Saturday. You'll see many items which have been distinctively handcrafted from products of the sea. Persons wishing information on booth space and requirements should contact the Festival Office.
*Oyster Shucking Contest - Professional and amateurs from all over Florida will compete for the coveted Florida Oyster Shucking Championship title. The winner will receive an all expense paid trip to Maryland to represent Florida in the National Oyster Shucking Championship contest.
*Oyster Eating Contest - Watch contestants try to eat the most raw oysters. Anyone can enter and everyone can watch.
*Blue Crab Race - Kids and adults alike will want to enter a crab contestant in the race. You can buy a crab for a small fee and have it carry your own racing colors!
*Seafood and Refreshment Booths - Choose from a wide variety of seafood and other delicacies. Vendors will be selling fish dinners, boiled and fried shrimp, seafood gumbo, boiled crabs, fried oysters, along with hamburgers, hot dogs, and homemade desserts. Persons wishing information on food booth space and requirements should contact the Festival Office.
*Historical Tours - Take a bus tour or walking tour of the historic waterfront and the Apalachicola historic district. Sites include the pre-civil war old Cotton Warehouse, the Sponge Exchange, restored antebellum homes, the John Gorrie State Museum, and the "Sea Dream," a boat built in the 1920's which rescued sailors in World War II. You can get more info and a map at the Festival Information Booth.
*River Tours - Take a tour of the scenic and colorful Apalachicola River. The boat will leave on the hour for a 45 minute cruise. Tickets will be available at the Ferry Dock in Battery Park.
NOTE: All of the events marked with * will take place within the Festival grounds at Battery Park. We will be asking a donation of $1 per person (kids under 12 are free) to enter the Festival grounds. The $1 covers all festival entertainment.
Parking
There is free street parking in downtown Apalachicola. However, we advise you to come early (before 9 A.M.) as traffic will be heavy. Just follow U.S. 98, (East or West) into Apalachicola.
Booth Space
Persons who are interested in renting space for arts, crafts or novelty booths, or seafood and refreshment booths, should contact the Florida Seafood festival office for details and deadlines.
Camping and Boat Docking Space
Camper Space - Camper space on Battery Point, adjacent to the Festival site, is available on a limited, first-come, first-served, basis. Campsites are considered primitive. No hook-ups of electricity, water, or sewage available. To reserve a camping space, send your name, address, and $20 per vehicle fee (fee covers two nights, Friday and Saturday), to the Florida Seafood Festival office. A permit will be mailed to you or held for your arrival.
Boat Docking Space - Boat spaces cannot be reserved but are available on a first-come, first-served, basis. Only a few of the spaces have water and power hook-ups. Boat fees are based on the length of the boat.
The Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce, representing Franklin County and the cities of Apalachicola, Carrabelle, and Eastpoint, as well as St. George Island, Dog Island, and Alligator Point invites you to the 23rd annual Florida Seafood Festival.
Just for the fun of it visit Franklin County throughout the year. Florida's best offer for fishing, beaches, boating and natural beauty.
For more information about what Franklin County has to offer you, your business, and your family, write: Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce, 45 Market street, Apalachicola, FL 32320.
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